Dave Brailsford, team GB's cycling head coach and the head of the team which helped Bradley Wiggins win the Tour de Francewill be presented with the Freedom of the Borough by Erewash Borough Council later.

The civic honour is only granted by a local authority to people who have achieved at the highest level.

A Conservative councillor from Derbyshire has been sacked after making a joke about the shooting deaths of two policewomen.

David Stephenson was removed from his post on Erewash Borough Council after his comments about PCs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes, killed last week in a gun and grenade attack in Greater Manchester.

PCs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes Credit: ITV Central News

Chris Corbett, leader of the council, said he was "appalled" to hear about the comments which Mr Stephenson had made in front of the wife of a serving police officer, and had removed him from his post.

Mr Stephenson allegedly said: "If you get 100 points for shooting one policewoman and 200 points for shooting two policewomen, how many do you get for shooting a lawyer?"

In a statement, Mr Corbett said: "I was appalled to learn of the words used by Councillor Stephenson to a lady who unbeknown to him was the wife of a serving police officer.

I have taken immediate and severe action by removing him from his post as a lead member of the Borough Council and he will no longer serve on the council executive, to take effect immediately."

This is more embarrassment for the Conservatives, coming less than a week after the MP for Sutton Coldfield and Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell has been accused of swearing at police officers outside Downing Street.

Andrew Mitchell MP Credit: PA Pictures

Speaking from his home near Ilkeston in Derbyshire, Mr Stephenson said: "If I've caused offence to anyone I am really very sorry. I never intended to and if I could turn back the clock I would.

I don't know the lady who made the complaint but I apologise to her for any offence caused. I'm totally against the use of guns and have always been for the banning of short weapons such as pistols."

And on Central Tonight at 6:00 we will have a full interview with Councillor Stephenson.